What if the secret to breakthrough supplier innovation isn't telling them what to make, but asking them to solve your problem instead?

Building a brand that parents trust and kids love requires more than just great products—it takes thoughtful design, strategic partnerships, and an unboxing experience that creates lasting memories. In this episode of B2B Breakthrough, host Ciara Cristo chats with Jen Kennedy, founder and visionary behind HoneyBug, and Rachel Webb, the company's brilliant chief operating officer. Together, they share how they revolutionized family gifting by creating clean, effective, and thoughtfully designed products that solve real parenting pain points. Learn how they built lasting supplier relationships through Alibaba.com, developed their signature unboxing experience, and scaled from garage operations to a trusted marketplace featuring 500+ brands.

Tune in to learn:

• (00:00) The Parking Lot Epiphany: How HoneyBug Was Born
• (07:01) Building a Scrappy, Authentic Team Culture
• (10:57) The Packaging Experience as Product Strategy
• (15:08) Axio AI Sourcing Advertisement
• (16:37) Scaling Handcrafted Elements Through Smart Manufacturing
• (21:20) Vetting Suppliers and Building Trust-Based Relationships
• (30:28) Cash Flow Management: The Hidden Challenge of Rapid Growth
• (35:22) Looking Ahead: Celebrating Every Occasion

Jen Kennedy is the founder and visionary behind HoneyBug, a company revolutionizing family essentials and gifting with clean, effective, and thoughtfully designed products. Coming from a corporate background in the restaurant industry, Jen identified a gap in the market for curated, high-quality baby and toddler gifts that take the guesswork out of thoughtful giving. Under her leadership, HoneyBug has grown from a garage operation to a trusted marketplace featuring over 500 domestic and international brands.

Rachel Webb serves as HoneyBug's Chief Operating Officer and logistical force, bringing her expertise in scaling operations and building supplier relationships. With a background in working with large-scale food suppliers, Rachel applies her process-oriented approach to help HoneyBug maintain quality standards while managing rapid growth and complex vendor relationships.

Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

• Finding OEM-Friendly Factories: Expert Tips from Serial Inventor Brian Fried

Could catalog-based browsing transform how you discover new products for your business?

Sourcing globally isn't just about finding the lowest prices—it's about building resilient supply chains and smart business relationships. In this episode of B2B Breakthrough, host Ciara Cristo chats with Justin Liu (https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinliu/), U.S. Country Manager for Alibaba.com, about helping U.S. businesses navigate unpredictable times through diversified sourcing strategies. Learn how today's retailers and manufacturers can leverage both international suppliers and emerging U.S. brands to build stronger distribution networks. Whether you're a small business scaling up or a retailer diversifying your inventory, Justin offers practical insights on everything from catalog-based discovery to local stock opportunities.

Tune in to learn:

• (00:00) Platform Strategy and Buyer Experience Focus
• (01:22) Justin Liu's Role as U.S. Country Manager
• (02:50) Challenges Facing Small Business Owners and Manufacturers
• (05:38) Understanding Buyer Demands and Pain Points
• (11:16) Retailer Needs vs Brand Builder Requirements
• (15:13) Supply Chain Diversification and Tariff Strategies
• (17:38) Local Stock Strategy and U.S. Brand Distribution
• (23:41) Sales Channels and Platform Improvements
• (29:10) Global Export Opportunities for U.S. Brands
• (32:57) Future Forecasting and Business Focus Strategies

Justin Liu is the U.S. Country Manager for Alibaba.com, where he leads initiatives to improve buyer experiences for American businesses while helping U.S.-based suppliers expand their global distribution networks. With over a decade of experience in B2B marketplace development, Justin focuses on connecting retailers, manufacturers, and brand owners with qualified suppliers worldwide while addressing the unique needs of American small businesses navigating supply chain challenges..

Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

• How to Simplify your Sourcing on Alibaba.com: Insights from Ciara Cristo (https://b2b-breakthrough-podcast.castos.com/episodes/how-to-simplify-your-sourcing-on-alibabacom-insights-from-ciara-cristo)
• Kickstarter Confidential: Insider Tips from the CEO - Live at CoCreate (https://b2b-breakthrough-podcast.castos.com/episodes/kickstarter-confidential-insider-tips-from-the-ceo-live-at-cocreate)
• Crowdfunding Success Secrets: LaunchBoom's Strategies for Product Ideation and Marketing with Will Ford (https://b2b-breakthrough-podcast.castos.com/episodes/crowdfunding-success-secrets-launchbooms-strategies-for-product-ideati...

How can you tell if an overseas factory is legitimate without visiting in person?

Turning ideas into physical products isn't just about creativity—it's about strategic planning and finding the right manufacturing partners. In this episode of B2B Breakthrough, host Ciara Cristo talks with Brian Fried (@brianfriedinventor), serial inventor and Chief Inventor at Inventor Smart, about bridging the gap between great ideas and successful products. With 15 patents and 19 years coaching inventors, Brian reveals the common manufacturing misconceptions that keep great products from reaching the market and shares his proven system for vetting overseas factories without boarding a plane.

Tune in to learn:

• (00:00) Welcome and Introduction to Brian Fried
• (03:45) Key Considerations When Vetting Manufacturers
• (08:12) Building Strong Supplier Relationships Across Distances
• (14:37) Scaling Production While Maintaining Quality
• (19:58) Leveraging Technology for Better Manufacturing Partnerships
• (24:43) Closing Thoughts and Resources

Brian Fried is a serial inventor with 15 patents, an author of three books on inventing, and has appeared on QVC for three years. He runs the National Inventor Club and has created an app specifically for the inventor community. Brian helps inventors navigate the journey from concept to market through his coaching services at Inventor Smart and was recently named an Alibaba.com Ambassador.

Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

• How to Simplify your Sourcing on Alibaba.com: Insights from Ciara Cristo
• Kickstarter Confidential: Insider Tips from the CEO - Live at CoCreate
• Crowdfunding Success Secrets: LaunchBoom's Strategies for Product Ideation and Marketing with Will Ford

Previous guests include Rudy Mawer, CEO of Mawer Capital; Tony Parker, four-time NBA champion and Founder and President of Infinity Nine Group; Mike McClary, CEO of Amazing.com; Jason Feifer, Editor-in-Chief of Entrepreneur Media; Kia-Shun Voltz, Chief Executive Officer of ShampooTime; Matt Jones, Founder of The Crease Beast; and Julianna Dahbura, Founder of Deco Beauty.